[Solved] Looking To Disassemble a Model M

[Kruppe]

I recently got my hands on an IBM model M 1391401. I'm friends with a manager at a local Canadian Tire and they are starting to move out their old keyboards (all various types of model Ms so check out Canadian Tire if your near one and ask nicely for some keyboards) and he's being nice enough to give me the old ones as he replaces his computers and keyboards with new ones (don't tell them its a mistake .

Alright so my question is, where can i get a good nut driver to disassemble the keyboard, and also is there a specific type of ps2 to usb adapter that I need to get it to work or can I use any old one.

Thanks!

[talis]

I would think Canadian Tire would probably be the best place to start.

[cmr]

you're going to need a converter, rather than an adapter (although the package on them usually says "adapter" anyway). i've had good luck with several different brands; they're all the ones with a little box with two PS/2 cables hanging out one end, and a USB cable hanging out the other end.

[lowpoly]

Search the forum for "5.5" or "7/32" for the nut.

[rnak92a]

I recently got my hands on an IBM model M 1391401. I'm friends with a manager at a local Canadian Tire and they are starting to move out their old keyboards (all various types of model Ms so check out Canadian Tire if your near one and ask nicely for some keyboards) and he's being nice enough to give me the old ones as he replaces his computers and keyboards with new ones (don't tell them its a mistake .

Alright so my question is, where can i get a good nut driver to disassemble the keyboard, and also is there a specific type of ps2 to usb adapter that I need to get it to work or can I use any old one.

Thanks!

USB Adapter:



Available here:  http://www.cyberguys.com/product-details/?productid=4850

Nut Driver:

- Precision Nut Driver (7/32" x 75mm)
- shaft length = 75mm (2 7/8")
- total tool length = 170mm (6 3/4")



Available here:  http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSS49&P=M

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
~rn

[Kruppe]

Thanks for the info everyone, I'm well on my way to cleaning this thing up and putting it to use.

[quadibloc]

Search the forum for "5.5" or "7/32" for the nut.

Ah, that was a question I had too.

[Kruppe]

Unfortunately looks like the shipping brings the total for one blue cube adaptor to 18 dollars, kind of pricey unless I buy more than one.

Would this work:
http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=001533&cid=CAB.833.916

It's the only one I can get nearby that looks anything like the ones listed in:
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=PS2-to-USB+adapters&highlight=ps2+usb

[Kruppe]

For the interested, the adapter I linked appears to work perfectly. Although I expect most work fairly well. It doesn't have any noticable lag or anything, all the buttons work fine and all that plus (for me) half the price of buying a blue cube!

[quadibloc]

Having purchased a 7/32" deep socket - couldn't find a nut driver - I was able to open up two model M keyboards I had, from the last batch I purchased at Goodwill, that had something rattling around inside of them. In both cases, it was just two of the plastic rivets. But thanks to this group, my supply of available model M keyboards has increased by two.